C. G. SMEATON.]

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93 And none of those have been high on the list?— No. The country teachers were higher on the list. 5 94. Can you explain why that is so? -It may be that the country teachers' qualifications were the best qualifications. It may be that they were not the best, and that the country teachers were placed in this position by virtue of the fact that they had more influence, or, perhaps, their religious connections were more powerful, or something of that kind. 95. That is a statement you had better amplify, because that is important ?—The statement is one that Ido not mind making. It is stated by more than one person that this kind of thine goes on. a 96. The Chairman.] What do you mean by " this kind of thing " ?—That influence comes in. 97. Local influence?— Yes, or clerical influence. 98. Mr. Lethbridge.] With the Committees or the Boards?—lt happens in both cases. 99. Mr. J. Allen.] Can you give us some more information about it?— No. I cannot say definitely that this kind of thing is done. I cannot say that I know any man has used influence, but this is the statement that is made. 100. Where do you get your information from?— From other teachers. 101. The information is that influence—religious, political, or otherwise—is used? —Yes. When I say "political," it may be municipally political, or political in some form, but this is the statement that is made: that without influenceyou have a very small chance of securing promotion, and, therefore, it is to your advantage to secure influence. 102. The Chairman.] In other words, the appointments are not made by the Boards on the merits of the applicants?—A great many may be made fairly, but it just happens now and again that if a man is disappointed he says, " Influence must have been used against me." 103. Mr. J. Allen.] You cannot give me any special instance?—No, because these things are exceedingly difficult to prove. 104. And you cannot give me any special instance of a first assistant being placed low on the list when, in your opinion, he ought to have been higher ?—I cannot say that influence has been used, but I merely say this: that when these things are discussed dissatisfaction is expressed at the positions occupied by assistants on the list, and they say that influence has been used to put other people above them. The statement is made fifty times in the year. 105. You stated that the gap between the first assistant and the headmaster was just as large as that between the first assistant and the second: What time were you referring to? The time when the colonial scale came in. 106. 1901?— No, 1904. 107. Do you know what the gap was between the Headmaster and the first assistant in 1904'? Can you tell us what it was then and what it is now?— Yes. It would be about from £80 to £90 then. 108. What is it now?—lt is just about the same, I think. 109. What was the gap between the first assistant and the second assistant in 1904?—1t varied —£70, £80, and £90. 110. What is it now?—lt varies in different positions. I have known it go as high as £70 or £80, and as low as £50 and £45; there is considerable variation. 111. The 1904 Act, which provided for the colonial seale —I want to know the result of it, as between the headmaster and the first assistant, and as between the first assistant and the second assistant, in increasing or decreasing the gap?—lt has lessened the gap between the second and first assistants, but I do not think it has made any difference between the first assistant and the headmaster. 112. From your experience and knowledge, where is the greatest dissatisfaction amongst the school-teachers?—l am not brought closely into contact with sole teachers. I have met very few indeed, and, as I remarked before, the present dissatisfaction, as evidenced by those whom I meet, is felt more by the first assistants than any other class. 113. Do you know anything of the sole teacher in country districts? —Not within the last five or six years. 114. Do you know of any dissatisfaction there?—l have heard of it. % 115. Mr. Hardy.] You speak of dissatisfaction generally: Is that of your own knowledge, or is it merely hearsay?— Well, personally, I am not dissatisfied. You see, I am not a married man. But I have met assistants who are married, and who are dissatisfied. I take their word for it. 116. You are only giving hearsay evidence on their account?— Yes, but I take their word for it. These men have asked me to appear for them. 117. Hearsay evidence, as a rule, is not of very much value, is it?—l admit that. 118. How long have you been a head assistant?—l have been eight years in my present position. 119. Have you applied for positions in the country?— Yes, once. 120. Was it an important position?— Yes, it was worth considerably more than I am earning at the present time. 121. I am not speaking of that. Was it an important position?—lt was not as important a position as the smallest headmastership in a city school. Perhaps it was about the same as the very smallest. 122. Do you know how many applicants there were for the position?— Yes, seventeen. 123. Was your name sent on to the Committee?— Yes. 124. So that, in your case, you have no occasion to blame the Oiago Education Board for harsh treatment, have you?— No. I cannot say it was particularly harsh treatment in my case, I consider that it was in the case of another man I know,

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